00996 - Greek History

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students know the general development of Greek history, have a knowledge of the different sources used for the historical reconstruction and get the main informations on events, historical phenomena and modern historiography on the topics dealt at classes. Students become familiar with the Greek chronology and read ancient authors in translation, either Italian or in other modern language. They become also used to the technical terminology of the discipline.

Course contents

1. Sources, methods and tools for the study of Greek history (6h)
2. Events, themes and prominent figures of Greek history through the analysis of selected and translated sources pertaining to the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods (40h)
3. Specific topic: "Introduction to the thought of Plato and Aristotle on the polis" (14h)

Readings/Bibliography

Students are required to study:

1. M. Bettalli (a cura di), Storia greca, Carocci, Roma 2021
2. M. Giangiulio (ed.), Introduzione alla storia greca, Il Mulino, Bologna 2021, 159-196; F. Muccioli, Storia dell'Ellenismo, Il Mulino, Bologna 2019, pp. 23-73; 175-196;
3. A lecture based on a reading of your choice from:
   
   • V. Azoulay, Pericle, Torino 2017
   • C. Bearzot, Alcibiade. Il leone della democrazia ateniese, Salerno Editrice, Roma 2021
     
   • M. Bettalli, Un mondo di ferro, Bari 2019 e successive ristampe
     
   • O. Coloru, Il regno del più forte, Salerno editrice, Roma 2022
   • M.E. De Luna, La comunicazione linguistica fra alloglotti, Pisa 2003
   • F. Landucci, La Grecia del IV secolo, Roma 2025
     
   • F. Muccioli, Dionisio II. Storia e tradizione letteraria, CLUEB, Bologna 1999
     
   • L. Prandi, Alessandro Magno. Realtà storica e memoria storiografica, Alessandria 2022
   • R. Sammartano, Alle radici della syngeneia. Parentele etniche nel mondo greco prima della guerra del Peloponneso, Alessandria 2020
   • M. Zaccarini, Erodoto e le donne, Roma 2024
4.  Sources read and commented on during the course (cf. virtuale.unibo.it). Sources will be presented in the original language but always accompanied by a translation into Italian
5. C. Bearzot (a cura di), Storiografia greca. Un'introduzione, Il Mulino, Bologna 2022: (the parts indicated by the teacher in class)

Students who will not attend lessons are required to study:

1. D. Musti, Storia greca. Linee di sviluppo dall'età micenea all'età romana, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1990 (second edition and following reprints): full reading; or M. Giangiulio (ed.), Introduzione alla storia greca, Il Mulino, Bologna 2021: full reading, AND F. Muccioli, Storia dell'Ellenismo, Il Mulino, Bologna 2019: full reading.
   
2. C. Bearzot (a cura di), Storiografia greca. Un'introduzione, Il Mulino, Bologna 2022: full reading.
3. Two readings chosen from those proposed in section 3 of the programme for attending students 
4. Aristotle, Politics, Books V-VI, ed. by M.E. De Luna - C. Zizza - M. Curnis, Roma 2015; and a Life by Plutarch choosing among Solone, Temistocle,  Lisandro, Alessandro, Arato, (Mondadori-Valla or BUR): in Italian or English
   

Bibliographic resources are available at the DiSCi Library of Ancient History (Bologna, via Zamboni 38).

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenticon-
disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Teaching methods

The course consists mainly in lectures. Students will take part in lessons and practice studying ancient sources and solving related problems.

Assessment methods

Oral examination (in a single exam session) will test the knowledge of the course contents (individual study texts and sources). It will take place in two steps:

1. at least 3 questions concerning the events of the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods;
2. at least 2 questions concerning Greek historiography, selected book and sources analysed during the course; for non-attending students, at least 2 questions concerning Greek historiography, selected book, sources for non-attending students and full version sources.
   

If the student achieves a complete and detailed vision of the topics discussed in class and required for the discipline, provides an effective critical commentary, shows mastery of expression and of the specific language, he obtains excellence in the evaluation (28-30L).

Those students who demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the main topics of the subject, basic analytical ability and ability to synthesize, and a correct command of the language, will be given a good mark (25-27).

Those students who demonstrate a mnemonic (and/or non-exhaustive) knowledge of the subject with a more superficial analytical ability and ability to synthesize, a correct command of the language but not always appropriate, will be given a satisfactory mark (22-24).

A superficial knowledge and understanding of the material, a scarce analytical and expressive ability that is not always appropriate will be rewarded with a ‘pass’ mark (18-21).

A student will be deemed to have failed the exam if he displays significant errors in his understanding and failure to grasp the overall outlines of the subject, together with a poor command of the appropriate terminology (< 18).

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

There are eleven examination sessions during the academic year: the first six, one per month, from January to June; the seventh in September/October; the eighth in December; the last three, one per month, from January to March.

Teaching tools

Original sources will be displayed during lectures.

Sources to be read will be supplied online during the course (virtuale.unibo.it).

Office hours

See the website of Maria Elena De Luna